Ant.

By Pranjli Chaturvedi

The ants came, scurrying happily because they finally found food after a long day.

Tired and trembling from hunger, they climbed up my plate.

They did not intend to steal the whole sandwich, just a little crumb of bread I would have left anyway.

With their tiny feet and tiny hopes, they poured all their strength into dragging the little bread crumb back home, so the family could finally feast on something.

They did not harm me, did not hurt me, they didn't cause pain.

But how dare they? Their feet may be dirty from walking all day, and I never permitted them to stay.

I was watching a movie with my sandwich neglected and cold, and their movement distracted me, causing chaos. 

So I lift my hand, swatting you away, and I shattered all your tiny hopes. The excitement in your eyes faded, extinguishing the light of your hopes, and perhaps now...I'm your God.

Do you pray too? "God, please. I don't know what wrong I did, but please let me live. I must feed my family; please let me go.”

But I cannot hear you, I am so high above. I keep swatting every ant behind you in the line. 

Perhaps in this world, hunger is a crime.

As I continued killing you with the force of my big hand, I realized I am also an ant.

One in someone else's world. I am as small as you, as unseen and neglected. My existence is a crime, and unheard are my cries. 

I work hard all day too, I am tired and sick, but I refuse to give up, because I have a loving family to feed.

Are you and I really different? I pray to God too. “Please God... Give me a chance. I promise you, I will work very hard. Let me live, let me thrive. Let me succeed, please make it right.”

The way I didn't hear you, does God not hear me? After all, I'm also as tiny, and God so high above.

By Pranjli Chaturvedi